We saw his star as it rose
and have come to do the Lord homage. MT 2:2
The apostle to the Gentiles says. "Where sin abounds, grace abounds much more." When we look around our world today we know this is true. It would seem that never in the course of human history has the world been as depraved as it is in this day and age and it would be so easy to lose hope and confidence. Evil lurks everywhere. The powerful prey upon the weak violently and purposefully for personal gain. In the midst of the gloom and darkness that envelopes the world, we know beyond all doubt that the Light that drew the wise men from the East to seek the Child and worship Him has not been extinguished.
Arise, shine out, Jerusalem, for your light has come,
the glory of the Lord is rising on you,
though night still covers the earth
and darkness the peoples.
The Church You established and in which You dwell in fullness and in truth is the Temple of God built high on the hill of Mt. Zion and it is here that people from every nation, tribe, culture, and language stream up to her to offer You worship and adoration. The rich and the poor, the powerful and the weak, the sick and the strong, all who have seen the Day Star follow its Light and find God.
Lift up your eyes and look round:
all are assembling and coming towards you,
your sons from far away
and your daughters being tenderly carried.
all are assembling and coming towards you,
your sons from far away
and your daughters being tenderly carried.
You have revealed Yourself O Lord as the Light to all the nations, You throw Your arms wide open welcoming all, and all who respond to Your invitation find in You perfect peace and rest.
PSALM 71(72):1-2,7-8,10-13 ©
O God, give your judgement to the king,
to a king’s son your justice,
that he may judge your people in justice
and your poor in right judgement.
that he may judge your people in justice
and your poor in right judgement.
In his days justice shall flourish
and peace till the moon fails.
He shall rule from sea to sea,
from the Great River to earth’s bounds.
and peace till the moon fails.
He shall rule from sea to sea,
from the Great River to earth’s bounds.
The kings of Tarshish and the sea coasts
shall pay him tribute.
The kings of Sheba and Seba
shall bring him gifts.
Before him all kings shall fall prostrate,
all nations shall serve him.
The kings of Sheba and Seba
shall bring him gifts.
Before him all kings shall fall prostrate,
all nations shall serve him.
For he shall save the poor when they cry
and the needy who are helpless.
He will have pity on the weak
and save the lives of the poor.
He will have pity on the weak
and save the lives of the poor.
All nations shall fall prostrate before you, O Lord.
EPHESIANS 3:2-3,5-6 ©
My Soul's Beloved,
My Soul's Beloved,
St. Paul recognizes that it was God who sought him, God who made Himself known to him, and God who appointed him choosing the most unlikely person who was a zealous persecutor of Christians, to become the great apostle to the Gentiles.
Beloved, all are called, and all are invited for God's salvation is free and is given to all who seek You with humble and sincere hearts. However, it is so discouraging when we look at this age in which we live. Satanic forces are palpable in every area of society dominating and debasing the culture and imbuing it with such depravity that it boggles the mind of those who cling to You. Satan would be overjoyed for us to believe the lie that he has triumphed, he is the victor. Yet, nothing can be farther from the truth.
St. Peter, St. Paul, and all the Apostles have handed down the faith in its entirety, in all its beauty, goodness, and truth. This Sacred Deposit of Faith continues to be handed down from generation to generation to all God's children born of water and the Holy Spirit. The gates of hell shall never prevail against Your Bride.
Every day many are coming home to the Church. Conversions are taking place in the most unlikely places and among the most unlikely people in non-Catholic and non-Christian faiths. We are privileged to be living in the beginning of the end times. You are preparing the Church and the world for Your Second Coming in glory and majesty.
You have probably heard how I have been entrusted by God with the grace he meant for you, and that it was by a revelation that I was given the knowledge of the mystery. This mystery that has now been revealed through the Spirit to his holy apostles and prophets was unknown to any men in past generations; it means that pagans now share the same inheritance, that they are parts of the same body, and that the same promise has been made to them, in Jesus Christ, through the gospel.
MATTHEW 2:1-12 ©
My Soul's Beloved,
God reveals Himself to the wise men, pagans who came to Jerusalem from the east following the star that had led them all the way to the place of Your birth. They interpreted the sign of the star they had seen, examined the ancient writings, and desired to see for themselves this infant king of the Jews. They knew that You were no ordinary king and they came to pay You homage and present You with the treasures that they had brought with them - gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
They came from far away. They came in faith. They shared their knowledge with King Herod whose only reaction was fear, rage, and murder for he saw Your birth as a threat to his throne. Having received all the information from the wise men he called together all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, and enquired of them where the Christ was to be born. ‘At Bethlehem in Judaea,’ they told him ‘for this is what the prophet wrote:
‘And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
you are by no means least among the leaders of Judah,
for out of you will come a leader
who will shepherd my people Israel.’
for out of you will come a leader
who will shepherd my people Israel.’
He let the wise men go with these instructions: ‘Go and find out all about the child,’ he said ‘and when you have found him, let me know, so that I too may go and do him homage.’
Seeing the star again after they left Herod they were filled with joy and followed it until it halted over the place where You were. Going into the house they saw You, the child with Your Mother Mary and they fell on their knees and worshipped You.
What do we do when we hear the Good News of Salvation? Are we impervious to it like the chief priests and scribes of the people, or does it cause us rage and discomfort like Herod? Or do we follow the Star faithfully and go where it leads us even to the most unexpected places. And once we find You Beloved, are we transformed like the wise men were and we are docile to the Spirit and we return home transformed carrying the Good News of our encounter with You, sharing it joyfully with everyone we meet and wherever we go?
Make us a new creation in You, my Lord and my God.
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